Turkey Time

My favorite holiday is only days away.
Thanksgiving.
The holiday that celebrates family, food and the fall harvest.

This is a bit of a twist on the usual run of the mill roasted turkey.
I brined and smoked this bird to take it up a notch.

Brining is a method of placing the turkey in a salt water bath that is centuries old. It makes the proteins in the meat change their pattern which traps the moisture to create the ultimate juicy turkey.
To finish it off I brushed on a Bourbon Glaze that created a very tasty crispy skin.
A Spicy Apple Gravy to serve along side and simple cranberry salsa completes this dish
There may seem to be a lot of steps to this dish but it is well worth every minute.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Smoked and Brined Turkey with Bourbon Glaze , Spicy Apple Gravy and Cranberry Salsa

Brine and Turkey

• 1 turkey 10 to 25 pounds
• 4 cups of kosher salt (or 2 of table salt)
• 2 gallons of water

In a large vessel such as a cooler or deep roasting pan combine the salt and water. Mix well.
submerge the thawed turkey . If not covered make more salt water until covered.
place in a cool place or in a fridge overnight.

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Preheat the grill to 400F

Remove turkey from the brine and rinse well. Remove as much water as you can so that it is as dry as possible.
Stuff as desired.
Brush with oil and place on a grill that has a prepared smoker box or smoker packet as described here.

Bourbon Glaze

• 3/4 cup of Bourbon
• 1/4 cup mustard
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of orange juice
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 1 tsp chili powder

Combine in bowl and brush on turkey during the last half of roasting time.

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Roast until turkey is cooked through.

The temperature of the thermometer inserted into stuffing should read 165F and in the turkey thigh 180F when the turkey is fully cooked.
Remove turkey from pan to a platter and remove stuffing to a serving dish and carve turkey as desired.

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Spicy Apple Gravy

• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 cup of apple cider or apple juice
  
• 2 tsp of oil
• 4 tbsp of flour

In a pot heat the oil and add the flour.
Stir until it thickens. (this is called a roux)
Add the remaining ingredients while stirring.
Simmer and stir until desired thickness.

Cranberry Salsa

• 1 can of cranberry sauce
• 1 tbsp of honey
• tbsp of minced white onion
• 2 tsp of minced jalapeno pepper
• 2 tbsp minced parsley
• 1 tbsp cilantro
• 1 tsp cracked peppercorn
• 2 tbsp tequila
• 1 tsp each of orange and lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and serve.


Wine Suggestion: Riesling

Cheers!